Lakewood falls to South Whidbey

MARYSVILLE — The Lakewood Cougars basketball team was defeated, 67-47, by South Whidbey on Jan. 31.

“We worked hard but they played an extremely good game,” Lakewood head coach David Choi said. “They were knocking down their shots.”

Lakewood junior Paul Coleman led the Cougars in scoring, hitting for 14 points at the end of the game.

Second in scoring was junior Ryan Alford, hitting for 12 points. Alford was able to sink six out of his seven free-throw attempts.

In the first quarter, Lakewood fell behind 18-4. It got worse for them at halftime when they trailed Whidbey 37-15.

Scoring improved for the Cougars in the second half. They scored 18 points in the third quarter, making it their highest scoring.

Junior Hunter Fritz sank a three-pointer and then followed up with one more in the fourth.

Coleman scored nine points in the third quarter, and converted three of those points at the free-throw line.

The fourth quarter turned out to be decent as well, when the Cougars were able to score 14 points. Sophomore Matthew Keen sank a three-pointer, and Alford scored a goal and converted for two at the free-throw line.

The second half effort wasn’t enough to turn the game around for Lakewood.

Choi was proud of his team for sticking it out all four quarters. “We played to the final horn, which is good,” Choi said.

Choi was particularly impressed with his starters supporting the younger players playtime.

“It really showed, despite the outcome,” Choi said. “Our guys are mentally strong and can move on from it.”

Choi said team cohesion is what currently carries the Cougars’ season. “I really emphasize the family environment,” Choi said. “We treat each other like brothers.”

Lakewood also lost to Granite Falls, 65-52, on Feb. 1, and to Kings, 62-34, on Feb. 4.

“On Saturday, we put up a good fight,” Choi said about the Granite Falls catfight on Feb. 1.